Residents in the North West are again protesting over access to water.

Residents of Mokgola village near Zeerust refused to be addressed by the local mayor Phaladi Saku and have asked Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa to address them.
Police said the protests began on Friday and had been peaceful. Residents blockaded roads around the village, about 20km from Zeerust, and part of the N4 leading to a nearby border post to Botswana. According to police, no arrests have been made but police are present and keeping a close eye on the situation.

Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality spokesperson Lehlohonolo Matsose told Sapa that the municipality was in talks with Molewa’s office after residents. She said the municipality would release a statement concerning the way forward on the matter.

This protest comes after the widely publicised water supply interruptions across the country earlier this year. Four people died in during protests over water shortages in Mothutlung after three pumps failed. North West Premier ThandiModiseearlier this year announced a R2 billion water project implementation plan to address water challenges across the North West.